Language Courses Schools and Programs in Barcelona, Spain
About Language Courses Schools and Programs in Barcelona, Spain
Language courses in Barcelona are mostly Spanish courses for foreign students, but the city also has schools for English, Catalan and other languages, exam preparation centres and teacher training. Barcelona is bilingual: Spanish and Catalan are both official, so learners hear two languages in daily life, while Spanish is the language of instruction in the Spanish schools.
Types of courses and certificates
Private schools run general Spanish courses in small groups through the levels of the Common European Framework (CEFR), from A1 to C2, as intensive, semi-intensive, evening and long-term courses, plus private lessons and exam preparation. The main official certificate is the DELE: the Instituto Cervantes describes the DELE diplomas as official certificates of competence in Spanish, covering all CEFR levels. Many schools also prepare for the SIELE exam.
Schools can be accredited by the Instituto Cervantes. Accredited centres go through an evaluation that is repeated every three years, so the accreditation is a useful check when comparing schools.
Where to take a language course in Barcelona
Examples from our directory:
- Estudios Hispánicos, Universidad de Barcelona: Spanish courses at the university, which is an examination centre for the DELE. It runs a full-time 580-hour Spanish programme for students who need a visa, which leads to a final certificate and ECTS credits.
- Speakeasy Spanish School: accredited by the Instituto Cervantes and a member of FEDELE, with classes of 8 to 13 students that start any Monday, and DELE and SIELE preparation. According to the school, a 20-hour-a-week long-term course starts at €96 per week and a 30-hour super-intensive course at €235 per week.
- Camino Barcelona: a school with Instituto Cervantes accreditation, DELE preparation courses and accommodation on site.
- Kingsbrook, languages & services: a language school that has taught more than ten languages since 2001.
- Escuela Oficial de Idiomas - Barcelona: the public language school (EOI Barcelona-Drassanes), with official courses in more than 20 languages, including Spanish and Catalan; enrolment for 2026-27 official courses is through the school.
Visas and length of stay
According to the Spanish consulate in London, study stays of less than 90 days do not require a study visa, although some nationalities need a short-stay Schengen visa. Longer Spanish courses can qualify for a study visa: the consulate lists language studies of Spanish or co-official languages among the eligible activities, and asks for acceptance at an authorised centre for a full-time programme and proof of funds equal to 100% of the IPREM. Check the exact requirements with the consulate for your place of residence.
How to choose a course
- Hours per week: 20 hours is a standard intensive course; visa programmes are full time
- Accreditation by the Instituto Cervantes and whether the school is a DELE or SIELE exam centre
- Group size and start dates
- Accommodation: homestay, shared flats or on-site residence
- Location and travel time to the school
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a visa for a Spanish course in Barcelona?
Not for a course of less than 90 days, although some nationalities need a short-stay Schengen visa. For longer full-time Spanish courses, students from outside the EU apply for a study visa at the Spanish consulate.
Can I take the DELE exam in Barcelona?
Yes. Estudios Hispánicos of the Universidad de Barcelona is a DELE examination centre, and several private schools, such as Speakeasy and Camino Barcelona, run DELE preparation courses.
Can I learn Catalan in Barcelona?
Yes. The public Escuela Oficial de Idiomas - Barcelona teaches Catalan as well as Spanish and more than 20 other languages.
How much does a Spanish course in Barcelona cost?
Prices depend on hours and length. At Speakeasy, for example, a 20-hour-a-week long-term course starts at €96 per week and a 30-hour super-intensive course at €235 per week, according to the school.